accentuate the positive

Good morning friends,
Paul's trust in God is inspiring. He lifts up the positive aspects of how his time in prison has helped open opportunities for evangelism, and he trusts that even his death could serve that purpose. Impressive in a different way is that he is even able to see how Christians with selfish motives can also be God's tool for spreading the good news. It's amazing how Paul is able to walk the path set before him even though there's a lot of uncertainty, and give everything up to God. I pray we can learn from him.

God bless,
Sam

Philippians 1:12-20

12I want you to know, beloved that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, 13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; 14and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear. 15Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 16These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; 17the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment.



18What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. 20It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.